Hockey fans watch the Detroit Red Wings and the Toronto Maple Leafs during the second period of the Winter Classic Alumni outdoor NHL hockey game at Comerica Park in Detroit, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2013. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

DETROIT - The scene in the Detroit Tigers clubhouse was akin to a who’s who in the history of Detroit Red Wings hockey. During the aftermath of Tuesday’s Alumni Showdown, legends from the Red Wings temporarily took control of the space normally occupied by the Tigers.

Yet, among all the fawning over superstars like Steve Yzerman, Sergei Fedorov and Nick Lidstrom, there was, in one corner of the room, an emotional scene taking place.

It was simple to look at: A hockey player handing a jersey to a young boy. But there was a lot more than met the eye.

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During introductions before the second alumni game, Joe Kocur skated out onto the Comerica Park ice wearing a number 24 jersey with Bob Probert’s name on the back. Probert, who passed away in 2010, was not only one of the most popular Red Wings ever, but was also one of Kocur’s best friends.

Kocur had long pondered how best to honor the memory of his brother in fists.

“I’ve been thinking about it for a long time,” Kocur stated. “I didn’t know how to do it, or how to approach it.”

Toronto alum Doug Gilmour, who also skated in the game, told Kocur he should wear a Probert jersey before the game. Kocur liked the idea, but wanted to clear it with Probert’s widow, Dani.

“He called me last night and told me he was going to do it,” Dani Probert said. “It was emotional. It was special. I was choked up.”

Kocur found it to be a fitting tribute to his fellow “Bruise Brothers” mate, with whom he spent years striking fear into many would-be pugilists across the NHL. The bond between the two enforcers continues even after Probert’s death at 45 years old.

“I love the guy,” Kocur explained. “It’s all about their family.”

To that end, Kocur followed through with his beliefs. He took the jersey and gave it to Probert’s only son Jack, who was perched near Kocur’s stall after the game.

After posing with each other for a bevy of pictures, Kocur decided he needed one more. He quickly reached into his own bag, threw on the number 26 jersey he wore in the game, and stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Probert’s only son.

Suddenly, it was as though the “Bruise Brothers” were together once again.

YZERMAN’S RETURN: Each and every time Steve Yzerman’s likeness appeared on the Comerica Park video board, the crowd responded with a roar.

As the last player to commit to the event, Yzerman’s presence was definitely appreciated by the many Red Wings fans in attendance. Yzerman liked everything about the event.

“I enjoyed it all,” Yzerman said. “That’s the first time I’ve played in a hockey game or a scrimmage or anything since my last (NHL) game in Edmonton. It was fun to be back on the ice.”

Yzerman enjoyed rubbing shoulders with some of the greats from Red Wings history, giving him a chance to relive his days in the locker room.

“Everybody was happy to be here,” Yzerman said. “I think for all these guys it was a pretty good experience being a part of the organization so we all have fond memories to see everyone. Time goes by and you come in the locker room, you kind of pick it up right where you left off. The humor's the same. We're all a little bit heavier, a little bit thinner hair and all that, but things haven't changed that much."

For Yzerman, the bottom line was giving back to the fans that adore him. Though admitting he did not have the opportunity to prepare for the event, it nonetheless gave fans a chance to give him the send-off they did not get a chance to do when his NHL career ended.

"Well, they get no refunds,” Yzerman explained. “I did my best, I'll put it that way. I enjoyed it. It's been a tremendous time here. I'll enjoy coming back and being a part of things whenever I can. I'm very appreciative of how I've been treated and how my family's treated here in Detroit. It's always fun being a part of things here."

FISCHER’S FINALE: Eight years after he nearly died of cardiac arrest during an NHL contest, Jiri Fischer made his return to the ice for the first alumni game. Fischer opened the scoring, but unlike scoring in a real game, he wasn’t exactly sure how to react.

"I didn’t know what to think. The puck went in and I didn’t know, ‘Do I celebrate, do I not? Is it going to be embarrassing, is it not?’ It felt great. As the game evolved, that was maybe the last goal in a Red Wings uniform for most of us to score.”

The pride in Fischer’s voice was evident when he spoke about the franchise with which he got his start. Unsure he’d even be able to participate in the alumni game, Fischer marveled at the opportunity.

“I feel young for alumni games,” Fischer said with a laugh. “We joked about (skating) for a year and a half with (team doctor) Tony Colucci, who saved my life eight years ago. He was nervous behind the glass, but everything worked out.”

Fischer also spoke about his start in the Red Wings organization, and how he forged an early relationship with defenseman Aaron Ward, who also played in the second game.

“I was partnered up with Aaron Ward,” Fischer began. “When I got on the Wings when I was 19, I didn’t have anywhere to live. He invited me over to his house to live for two months until I found a place to live. I have really been taken care of by the organization.”

RUSSIAN FIVE REUNITE: All members of Detroit’s legendary “Russian Five” made an appearance on the ice together just before the second game began. Sergei Fedorov, Slava Kozlov, Slava Fetisov and Igor Larionov helped injured Vladimir Konstantinov onto the ice, before giving Konstantinov a stick to hold. The Comerica Park crowd erupted with a “Vladdy” chant.

GRINDERS: The popular “Grind Line,” consisting of Kirk Maltby, Kris Draper and Joe Kocur reunited during the second game. Kocur couldn’t help but smile when asked about the trio’s camaraderie.

“We’ve been skating together for about three weeks,” Kocur said. “We’ve been laughing and having fun, and beating up each other. This is a great day. A lot of us may not skate much any more.”

CHELI’S CELLY: After scoring in the first half of the second game, Chris Chelios unveiled an incredible celebratory move akin to a bridge in wrestling. He skated toward center ice, then flipped over so that his back faced the ice surface. With only the blades of his skates and the back of his helmet touching the ice surface, Chelios slid into the Detroit zone.

Count Nick Lidstrom among those not planning to imitate it any time soon. Not that he didn’t enjoy watching it take place.

“I’ve seen him do that during practice, on a clean sheet of ice,” Lidstrom explained. “But, I wasn’t expecting him to do that in a game like this. It was awesome. It was great to see him do that.”

RED RULES: University of Michigan coach and former Red Wing Red Berenson couldn’t help but help his team strategize near the end of the first game. With Detroit ahead by one, Berenson pulled the group together to come up with a defensive plan of attack.

Fischer explained that while the ideas were sound, actually implementing them was a bit of a challenge for the rusty group.

“For the last shift Red Berenson, being the greatest coach in college hockey he is, he had a game plan,” Fischer explained. “He huddled us all together. He basically told us what to do. Unfortunately we didn’t execute how he mastered the plan, but we kept the puck out of the net.”

From his point of view, Berenson, 74, felt a bit of pressure when Scotty Bowman had him take the final faceoff.

“Maybe because my head was into it, like I’ve been doing this every day as a coach,” Berenson explained. “But nevertheless, Scotty put me out there and he knew I could figure it out and not screw it up. I played for Scotty for a long time, and you know it feels good to have a coach’s confidence.”

MIO GOES OLD SCHOOL: Hearkening back to a bygone era, goaltender Eddie Mio went with a fiberglass facemask in the first game; the mask was held on with leather straps.